l(;5 



THE MODERN SYSTEM 



there is frequently a thickening in the parts, 

 but, though this may occur, still there appears 

 to be a corresponding backwardness to admit 

 disease. 



There is one difference between the 

 advancement of an encysted tumour, to the 

 surface of the body, and the progress of an 

 abscess in the same direction, viz. that the 

 former does not excite ulceration of the cyst, 

 but an interstial absorption of the sound parts, 

 between the cyst and the skin, till the cyst 

 and the external skin come into contact : ai 

 which period inflammation takes place, and 

 absorption becomes accelerated into ulcera- 

 tion. In an abscess, the progressive ulceration 

 begins in the cyst, at the same time that 

 the interstial absorption, in the second part 

 covering the matter, is going on. llie action 

 of progressive absorption is to remove sur- 

 faces contiguous to irritating causes, as in case 

 of tumours, pressure becomes a cause. 



That pressure is a frequent cause of ulcera- 

 tion, is daily proved by the effects of harness 

 on Horses, &c. 



That irritating substances produce ulcera- 

 tion, need no illustration. 



Progressive absorjjtion may occur, either 

 with or without suppuration. We have 

 instances of the latter, in cases of extraneous 

 bodies which travel about the body, without 

 producing irritation enough to give rise to 

 the secretion of pus. 



Absorption, with suppuration, in other words 

 ulceration, either happens in consequence of 

 suppuration already begun, in which event 

 the pus acts as a pressure, or else absorption 

 attacks external surfaces from particular 

 irritations, or weakness, in which suppuration 

 must follow. 



An Ulcer is usually defined to be a solution 



of the continuity, in any of the soft parts of the 

 body, attended with a secretion of pus, or some 

 kind of discharge. 



The principal ulcerations to which the 

 Horse is most liable, is pole-evil, fistulous 

 withers, ulcers of the mouth, and strangles; 

 we shall endeavour to give our opinion first. — 



ON POLE EVIL. 



This, of all ulcers, is the most troublesome 

 the Horse is liable to, and the surgeon has to, 

 contend with ; for, though the veterinary 

 surgeon may complete a cure, the time and 

 expense incurred, neither remunerates him for 

 his applications and trouble, or does it gain 

 him any credit in his professional career. The 

 old farriers in this disease, went violently to 

 work with all the scalding materials the 

 druggists shop could turn out, but the milder 

 means adopted by the modern veterinary practi- 

 tioner, has in a great measure done away with 

 that unskilful and unsurgical mode of treat- 

 ment ; still it happens, unfortunately, that this 

 disease does not come under the notice of the 

 veterinarian until the village farrier has ex- 

 pended all his recipes and knowledge on the 

 poor animal, for it is more than ten to one, if 

 they know any part that is really affected. 

 However, we will endeavour to point out to 

 our readers the nature and real situation of 

 pole-evil. 



Pole-evil, then, is an unhealthy inflammation, 

 which takes place at the back of the ears from 

 blows or bruises, or other injuries the Horse 

 is liable to sustain on that part, and especially 

 with farm or cart-horses, and more so where 

 you have not got the best disposed carter, 

 for these men, when in a passion, will strike a 

 Hor-e about the head with the butt-end of the 

 whip, stick, &c., which ever they may chance 



